Dolly, weapon component transfer, suspended type



2,950,123 DOLLY, WEAPON COMPONENT TRANSFER, SUSPENDED TYPEI Filed July31 1959 Aug. 23 1960; R. E. NEQARMAN 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR TroRNEus''Aug. 23, 1 960 r R. E. NEARMAN 2,950,123

DOLLY, WEAPON COMPONENT TRANSFER, SUSPENDED TYPE Filed July 31, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 2 EZL i INVENTOR. Ric/lard E. Near/mm ATTOIVE Y8Aug.'23,'196O I R. E. NEAVYR'MQAN ,950 1 noun-WEAPON COMPONENT TRANSFER,SUSPENDED TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31, 1959 v INVENTOR. R/c/mrdE. Nearman Aug. 23, 1960 n. E. N'EARMAN 2,950,123

DOLLY, WEAPON COMPONENT TRANSFER, SUSPENDED TYPE Filed July 31, 1959 sSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. R/c/roro E Near/non .2,9so,123 DOLLY, WEAPONCOMPONENT TRANSFER, SUSPENDED TYPE Filed July 31, 1959 Aug. 23, 1960 R.E. NEARMAN 5 Shee ts-Sh e et 5 INVENTOR. Richard E. Nearman qrmz fl E VJDOLLY, WEAPON COMPONENT TRANSFER, SUSPENDED TYPE Richard E. Neal-man,Rockville, Md., assignor to the United States of America as representedby the Secretary of the Navy Filed July 31, 1959, Ser. No. 830,969

4 Claims. (Cl. 280-106. 5)

The present invention relates generally to material handling equipment;more particularly it relates to a weapon component transfer dolly whichincorporates improvements upon the missile transfer dolly shown anddescribed in co-pending application Serial No. 800,901, filed March 20,1959, Eugene S. Culver, inventor, assigned to the United StatesGovernment.

The missile transfer dolly constituting the subject matter of theabove-referenced patent application is generally useful in weaponstransfer operations but may not be used when it is desired to load amissile or missile component thereon from below because of the presenceof the transversely extending torsion bars employed. It is accordinglyan object of the present invention to provide a weapon componenttransfer dolly that may be lowered over a missile or missile componentand which, after apcomponent in the receptacle.

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Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section of the spring unit of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing the opposite end of the spring unit ofFig. 7.

Briefly, the invention comprises a generally rectangular frame havingupwardly bowed, substantially V-shape transverse sections and upwardlycurved end sections which cooperate to form a pocket or receptacle onthe. under side of a dolly to receive a missile or other weapon orWeapon component. The invention further includes a novel suspensionsystem for the frame, which suspension system comprises individuallysprung wheel assemblies and a shock absorber for each said assembly. Thesprings for the wheel assemblies are of the helical type and extendlongitudinally of the frame rather than transversely thereof, so as tobe out of the way of a missile or Brake mechanisms and weapon componentmounting means are also employed for assuring safe handling of theweapon component in the dolly.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the frame of the improveddolly is shown generally at 10. The frame 10 includes side sections 11and 12 each having straight end portions 13 and 14 and an upwardlyoffset intermediate portion 15. Upwardly and inwardly curved endsections 16 and 17 are connected to the straight end propriateconnections between said missile or component i and said dolly are made,may be used for conveniently transferring said missile or component fromship to ship or between ship and shore.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a weaponcomponent transfer dolly which is extremely rugged in construction andwhich will, therefore, be able to withstand rough usage.

As a further object, the weapon component transfer dolly constitutingthe present invention employs simple and effective means for protectingthe ends of the missile or component from damage, said means, however,being readily removable for permitting manipulation of the missile orcomponent in the dolly.

Additional objects of the invention include the provision of a dolly forthe purpose set forth which utilizes a. frame that will snugly receive amissile or other weapon component when the dolly is lowered intooperative position; and one which employs a simple and highly eflicientspring suspension system that will assure maximum protection for aweapon in the event of a free fall from a substantial height.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be readily appreciated as. the same becomes betterunder-stood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the improved weapon component transferdolly;

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end view showing the dolly with a hoisting slingattached, a weapon component being shown in broken lines,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail top plan, particularly showing the springmountings and the weapon component supporting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation showing the suspension system with oneof the wheel assemblies partially deflected;

Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the spring units;

portions 13 of the side sections 11 and 12, and similarly formed endsections 18 and 19 are secured to the portions 14 of said side sections.End bars 20 and 21 effectively connect, respectively, the upper ends ofthe end sections 16 and 17 and those of the sections 18 and 19.

Extending across the frame 10 near the opposite ends thereof arelongitudinally spaced upwardly bowed, or inverted V-shape, inner andouter transverse sections 22, 23 and 24, 25, the sections 22, 23extending between the straight end portions 13 of the side sections 11and 12, and the sections 24, 25 extending between the end portions 14 ofsaid side sections. Spaced brace members 26 and 27 connect the upperends of the sections 16 and 17 with the outer transverse section 23medially between its apex or bight and its lower ends. Similarly, asshown in Fig. 2, spaced brace members 28 and 29 connect the upper endsof the end sections 18 and 19 to the outer transverse section 25. Aswill be seen, the brace members 26 and 27 mount the bar 20, and thebrace members 28 and 29 mount the bar 21. Buffers 30 and 31 are mountedon the bars 20 and 21, respectively, and serve to cushion a weapon orweapon component from shocks due to longitudinal displacement thereof ineither direction in the frame.

From a reading of the foregoing and a study of Figs. 1, 3, and 4 of thedrawings, it will be understood that the side sections 12 and 13, theend sections 16, 17, 18, and 19, the brace members 26, 27, 28, and 29,and the transverse sections 22, 23, 24, and 25 cooperate to define aninverted receptacle to receive a weapon or weapon component fully withinthe confines of the frame 10, such a. weapon or weapon component beingshown in broken lines, and schematically, in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

To permit easy handling of the dolly when in use, hand rails 32, 33, 34,and 35 are provided. As best seen in Fig. l, the hand rails 32 and 34extend, respectively, from the end-s of the offset portion 15 of theside section 11 to midpoints on the sloping side portions of the innertransverse sections 22 and 24. Similarly, the hand rails 33 and 35extend, respectively, between the offset portion 15 of the side section12 to said inner transverse sections 22 and 24, being connected to saidsections at points opposite the points of connection of the rails 32 and34.

For the purpose of securing a weapon or weapon component in the frame10, material handling apparatus of 3 the type shown in U.S. Patent No.2,925,980, filed January 16, 1959 R. E. Nearman, inventor, is employed,said apparatus including strap assemblies 36 and 37 mounted,respectively, betweenihe transyerse sections 22 and 23 affid be'twen thesections 23a'nd'25. Theoppos ite'fe is tras f th a embl a e magnate-d inrub 7r 811 blocks 38ai1'd 39; By t'hii's oftli "s an and uitablehpistinggear, the weapon or. Po 6 fnay b securedinthe'franie'll}. As part cul ly11 Figs, gain 6 the lo ermost vradial'i'qoints i sim ar o one f the whenstraddle :he upper" end porrionsef the reg' and brace elements. Asbest'jseen'in Fig. 1, the reg assembly 40 pivotally connected to'theframe 'by'a trunnion 45 which passes through the"lower'rnost' apices'ofthe lever element 44' and the upper end of the leg element 41'; When inthe at rest, for unstressedpositionfthe leg assembly would appearassho'wn' in Fig.' 3;that is,"wi'th the leg element disposed at an angleof substantially 45 degrees to the frame 10.

"*In' lieu of the transversely extending torsion bars, used,

in the dolly "described in' the saidfirst m'entionedim pending patentapplication foire'siliently supporting the fratn i above a deck or othersurface, the insianE iI YQ I F tion utilizes longitudinally extending"coil "fspi'i "s for this purpose. Referring again to Figl6', 'ind'al'sjo toFig. '8, oneof these 'coil springs'is shown'at"4'6. When'thedolly isi'in an at rest? position, thespring 46 is in an extendedposition; when thedolly is subjefcted'to shock'iinparted vertically, aswould beproduced'by dropping it to'a surf faceffrom a substantialdistance 'thefeaboi the spring would be compressed, in a new "to L. as,,,.;v r.

Thespring 46 is trained about a pair of telescoping 50 t ub'e"s "4"7 andas shown in"Fig"."8 and these tubes are mounted, respectively,"in andsepsis qrsn: Th end cap 49*car ries an eye bolt"'51"which is'piv'otallynected to a pair of upstanding tabs 5 2 on the oifset portion'15 of theside section12 by apivot 'bibltSS'. The cap 50 is'pivotallyconnccted'to'the innermost apices or the lever element 44'of the legassembly'by' yokefinernbe'rs '54. Compression of the spring 46 maybecontrolled to a limited extent by structureincluding' a was 5 5 in thetube 48, 'abolt 56, a U-shjape: strap STh'avih'g enddegs engaging thecap 50, and'a"'rel'atiyely small oirspnng 58 surrounding the bolt 56.Rotation'ofth'e senses/1'11 move the cap 50 on the tube 48 foi'varyin'gftheflengthof the spring and thus its compression. W

From the above description it will be understood that outward and upwardswinging movement'offthe' leg assembly 40will 'be' resisted b'y'""thespring'46, tofthej end thaftliefdollywill be resiliently mounted.The'pr'i 'le ofop'erationof the spring suspension syst is the same asthat described in the first 'rrientione'd' co 7 v application,'exceptthat' the linkages'have b altered to accommodate the coil springs"in lieu: of the transverse torsion bars described in said application.Briefiythe spring suspension system utilizes four springs, one for eachleg assembly. Two'of the springs are mounted 1on- 7 5 4 gitudinally ateach side of the frame in opposed spaced relation, and arepre-compressed (pre-loaded) to, say, four times the weight of the loadon the dolly, so that the forces resulting from dropping the loadeddolly must exceed the energy prestored in the springs before the legassemblies will deflect. ,Thesystem thus provides uniform decelerationof the doll'yand load upon contact thereof with a deck or other surfaceafter a free fall from a substantial height.

shock absorbers 60 areconnected between the outermost apic es of theleyer element's" qgnnthe outermost of the transverse sections '23,2'5j'andfiinction" to control rebound of the leg assemblies in aconventional manner.

The dolly' constituting the subject'matter of the present inventionincludes a brake system similar to that shown and described in the copendingapplieation first mentioned hereinabove. As best seen in Figs. 1and 5, the brake system includes a master cylindrical 61 which ismounted longitudinally of the frame between the transverse sections 22and 23'. lhe cylinder is 'providedTwith pistons 62 and '63,'the piston62 being connected to a clevis 64 by a link 65 which is pivotallymounted on the section 22'. Thcle'vis is secured to the lower end of astretch of hoist cable 66 which'forms apart of a high line hoistarrangement. nected to "opposite ends of thetransverse section 24 andto'the opposite end of the section 22, as shown in Fig. 2. The piston 63is actuated by' a lever 67 which has one end pivotally connected to thehand rail 33, the lever being connected to said piston by a' rod 68, aclevis 69 and a crank 70, the crank beingpivotally mounted on the handrail 33. The master cylinder 61 is connected to brake mechanisms 71(Figs; 1 and 6) by suitable hydraulic' lines- 72 that are led throughthe transverse and side sections ofthe frame.

The brake system is so arranged that the brakes are normally'i'n on.position, so that'when the dolly,- with a missile or component thereon,is lowered -to a deck or other surface, 'the' casters" will be lockedand the doliy prevented from moving. Partial raising of the hoist cable,however, will actuate the piston 62 and release the brakes so that thedolly may. be moved as desired. Release of the cable will again lock'the brakes immediately' for instantly stopping the dolly. The'brakesmay also be. released by manually depressing the lever 67, for actuatingthe piston63.

e dolly hereinabove described is particularly useful in missile handlingoperations'utili'zing a high line hoist, because said dolly may belowered over a missile or component. Thus it is not necessary to raisethesaidmissile or component in order. to place it upon the dolly.

Obviously many -modifications and'variations of the present inventionare possible in thelight of the above teachings. It is, therefore tofbeunderstood that within the, scope or the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically describjedl Whatisclaimedis z" L i 1. In a 'weapon component transfer dolly, a framehavingside sections provided with straight; end portions andn wamyefisetintermediate" portions, inner and outer transverse ec tions ent'ndin'gbetween opposite corresponding ends of the side section 'd' transversesections being upwardly bowed, upwardly and inwardly curved end sectionsconnected to the side; sections at their corresponding oppositends,"spaced. brace members conilctcd betwecu the upper ends of the endsections. and the'outer' "transverse sections, and end bars. connectingthe end sections and brace members, said upwardly bowed sections andsaid endjsflctions cooperating with said side sections to define areceptacle for receiving a weapon, component within the frame fromthcrebelow.

2. A weapon component transfer dolly as recited in claim 1, includingadditionally wheel assemblies pivotally connected to the name atopposite sides threoff'and Other stretches of the'hois't are conisprings connected between the wheel assemblies and the frame.

3. A weapon component transfer dolly as recited in claim 1, includingadditionally wheel assemblies pivotally connected to the frame atopposite sides thereof and having casters thereon, brake mechanisms forthe casters, coil springs connected between the wheel assemblies and theframe, shock absorbers connected between said wheel assemblies and saidouter transverse sections, and brake control means mounted betweenadjacent inner and outer transverse sections and connected with thebrake mechamsms.

4. A weapon component transfer dolly including a substantiallyrectangular frame having near each end thereof inner and outer upwardlybowed transverse sections, said frame having side sections includingupwardly offset intermediate portions, hand rails extending between theoffset portions and the inner transverse sections, wheel assembliespivotally connected with the frame for supporting said frame above asurface, casters on the wheel assemblies, a brake system comprising amaster brake cylinder on the frame between inner and outer transversesections, brakes on the casters, means operatively connecting thecylinder with the brakes, and means on one of the hand rails formanually controlling operation of the brake system.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,138,181 Bock May 4, 1915 FOREIGN PATENTS 470,114 Great Britain Aug.10, 1937

